Trend Micro partners with Asus to beef up IoT security in homes

Trend Micro has recently partnered with Asus in a move to protect home networks against malicious Internet of Things (IoT) security threats.

The cyber-security solutions provider said it will embed its Smart Home Network solution in Asus wireless home routers to protect home network users from turning into ‘zombie computers’ – devices that can be commanded by a cyber-criminal – while connected devices remain safe from possible malicious activities.

The Smart Home Network solution supposedly analyzes and assesses data in real-time to detect and prevent attacks before they cause harm.

A growing security threat

“The home network is getting more complicated and dangerous than ever with more IoT devices showing up,” according to Dr. Terence Liu, vice president of network threat defense technology group at Trend Micro.

The company claims that data analyzed by its network threat defense team proves a single router can detect more than 12,000 attack events worldwide on a monthly basis. The team also found that 90 percent of the top 10 security events are outbound attacks and exploits by home devices.

These so-called ‘zombified’ devices were behind last year’s record DDoS attacks on both Brian Krebs and domain name service provider, Dyn, made possible by the Mirai botnet in home networks. However, Trend Micro says it has stopped threats from both Mirai and Hajime with this new IoT solution, and Dr. Liu suggested it will continue to do so.

“It’s critical to have visibility and security over home gateways and IoT devices at home,” he said. “Trend Micro and ASUS are committed to carry on this duty with our virtual patch and web threat protection. Our solution, backed up by professional and expert researchers, provides defense capabilities that can tackle evolving threats in a timely manner.”

It is unsurprising that an IoT cyber-security partnership has emerged so early this year. After all, it’s what most experts have been crying out for; the Dyn/Krebs attacks simply confirmed what many had warned of. Expect to see a number of companies follow suit in the coming months.